by Bloom, Nikki
Luca growled his annoyance, glanced at Erik with contempt and then at me with a smirk. “Don’t think he won’t get his hands on you eventually, kiddo. And you know I’ll be out in no time.”
I sat frozen even after Luca was taken away. I didn’t know how badly I was shaking until a hand rested on my shoulder. “You’re okay now.” Erik sat beside me and I twisted to fling my arms around him. I buried my face between his neck and shoulders, and he held me until I composed myself.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
“Let’s go.” Hearing his clipped words, I glanced at his face. He was furious.
* * *
We were escorted home by one of the men who’d arrived with Erik. He turned out to be a detective who owed David, Erik’s friend, a few favors. I learned that after realizing that I was in distress, Erik immediately got in touch with David who’d gotten in touch with his former colleagues. Apparently, David had many favors to collect. I had to thank him when I finally met him.
“Are you going to say something?” I asked when we stepped off the elevator and into the foyer.
Erik hung his head and let out a long breath. “I still haven’t recovered from seeing a man point a gun at you. I’m sorry if I don’t have much to say right now.”
“I know you’re furious but I—”
He clamped his hands down on my shoulders. “How can I still be furious when I’m so overcome with relief? I could have lost you…” I went willingly into his embrace. “If you hadn’t had the mind to call me, you could have been...What if I had hung up? Goddamn it, Crystal, how could you leave without telling me?”
He held me so tightly, I could hardly breathe, but I didn’t complain. I figured he was more rattled than I was. “I’m sorry, I just wanted to go out for one day without someone over my shoulder.” My words were muffled by his chest.
“Look where that got you,” he snapped, finally releasing me only to crush my mouth beneath his with a quick, hard kiss. “Don’t do something so foolish again.”
“That’s it? No lecture?”
His jaw ticked. “No, but I just might put you over my knee,” he drawled.
It was the worst time to be turned on by his words, but I was. Something must be wrong with me. I’d almost been kidnapped or killed by my own brother and there I was imagining an erotic spanking from Erik. Yup, I needed therapy. Shoving aside my sudden arousal, I admitted, “I made a stupid move. If you hadn’t shown up with those officers—”
“I would have probably killed your brother,” he snarled, making me gasp.
“Erik.”
“What, would you miss him, Crystal?”
“I’ve just never heard you talk like that…”
He let out a breath. “I’m sorry. I’m still on edge.” He moved toward the bar and I followed.
Watching him throw back scotch like water, I felt guilty. I drove him to this, which is why I didn’t want to bring up my brother’s threat, but I had to. “Luca was right. My father won’t stop until he has me in his clutches. I’m too much of a risk to him. He’ll never stop hunting me down. Now he knows where I am.”
Erik put his glass down and hit me with a smirk. Why was he smiling at a time like this? “Don’t worry about him. Your father won’t be a problem much longer. Your brother either.”
I sat up straighter. “W-what are you going to do? Erik, please don’t tell me you’re going to...do anything crazy.”
His brows shot up. “Are you putting me in the same category as your father?”
“Of course not. But you have to admit that was an ominous comment.”
He chuckled and walked around the bar to pull me to my feet. Tilting my chin up with his finger, he assured, “I’d never do anything to jeopardize our future together. You said you trust me.”
Our future together. Those words warmed me to my core because I want that future so badly. “I do.”
“Then stop worrying.” He planted a kiss on my forehead. “Come on, you have to make it up to me for scaring the shit out of me today. I’d prefer you do so naked.” His hard expression had softened and his eyes no longer gleamed with ferocity. He wore a teasing smirk. My Erik was back and I sighed my relief. I was still curious about why he was so sure my father wouldn’t be a problem for much longer. There was no dwelling on it because I was being led to his bedroom— our bedroom.
20
Crystal
Weeks of not knowing what was going on with my brother and my father was driving me crazy. I tried to be patient and take comfort in knowing that I was safe with Erik. As long as I didn’t go running off on my own, I was fine. But I didn’t want to live like that forever. Lounging around Erik’s penthouse all day was slowly sucking the life out of me. It was only his presence that kept me going. When I was in his arms, I didn’t think about the heavy stuff.
When I was alone, like I was now, my mind went to dark places. Thoughts about what my father was plotting and my brother popping up again haunted me for hours. So, I did what I did best, I baked.
The refrigerator was already filled with baked goods, and pastries lined the counter in dishes. I had no idea where the freshly baked pastries were going to go. I worked in the kitchen until I lost track of time, only realizing how late it was when I heard Erik come home. The sound of footsteps nearing had me hastily brushing flour off my clothes and smoothing my hair. As comfortable as I’d become with Erik, I didn’t want him to come home and find me looking like something out of a horror movie.
“Crystal?”
“In the kitchen!” The sound of his voice always sent my heart a flutter. I had it really bad.
Erik appeared, looking delicious in a suit. “Hey, you. It smells good in here.”
“Hi.” The greeting came out as breathless whisper. I didn’t know why that happened every time I saw him.
I was swept into his arms and pulled close for a kiss that made my knees weak. His mouth commanded mine, moved passionately as if he hadn’t kissed me just this morning before he left. Erik always greeted me like a long-lost lover and I would never get tired of it. I staggered a little when he finally broke the kiss, dazed and breathless.
He smiled, his eyes sweeping over me, making my face heat up. “I must look a mess,” I said, looking down at my red painted toes. “I’ve been baking and cooking all day.”
“I can see that,” he said softly, brushing something off my face. “You had a little flour there. And you look good enough to eat. If we weren’t having company, I’d place you on the dining table and do just that.”
My mouth slackened at the provocative image now in my mind. “I think I’d love that.” His eyes gleamed with unabashed lust as he looked me up and down. One thing I could say, things never got dull with him in the sex department. “Did you say company?”
“Yeah, you’re finally going to meet David.”
His best friend, who I’d heard so much about. Confused, I said, “Oh, okay. Will he be staying for dinner? I can—”
He cupped my face and looked me in the eyes. No longer were his eyes gleaming with humor or lust but serious intent, and I immediately started to worry. “He’s here to discuss something very serious. Let’s hold off on dinner.”
“W-what’s wrong?”
“Don’t look so worried. Everything is going to be fine.” He planted a kiss on my forehead and stepped away just as an imposing figure in a worn leather jacket sauntered in. Tattoos peek out above his collar and from his sleeves. When Erik had mentioned his best friend, I’d pictured a polished business man in an expensive suit like him―not someone who looked like he was the president or VP of a biker gang. Looking from Erik to David, I couldn’t help thinking what an unlikely pair they made. It made me smile.
“At last we meet,” the muscular man rumbled as he neared. “I’m David.”
His large hand swallowed mine. I would have been intimidated if Erik wasn’t present and if I didn’t see the warmth behind David’s eyes. “Crystal.”
“Great to
finally meet you. I see now why Crawford lost his balls. You’re a looker.”
“Jesus, David, we talked about this,” Erik groaned. “Exercise some tact.”
David bowed at the waist. “I apologize for using the word balls, ma’am.”
I couldn’t help it. I dissolved into a fit of giggles and I saw David’s mouth twitch. “It’s fine.”
“I like her; she gets my sense of humor.”
Rolling his eyes, Erik gently extracted my hand from David’s. “You’ve held on long enough,” he told his friend with a glare.
David winked at me and I swallowed a smile. I liked David already. He seemed to counter Erik’s arrogance, which was good. Lord knew he got his own way too much already. I suspected that with David that didn’t always happen. They seemed to balance each other as friends.
Leading me to a chair, Erik sat beside me while David sat across the table from us. They both looked somber, increasing my concern. “Clearly, I’m missing something here. Is anyone going to tell me what?”
“Don’t be upset with me.I didn’t want to tell you what I was up to beforehand because I didn’t want to get your hopes up only to find nothing.”
“What are you talking about?”
“David here is a private investigator; I think I mentioned that.”
I nodded.
“I asked him to help with your situation and he was happy to.”
“And boy did I help. We’re sending your no-good father to prison, sweetheart.”
I gasped and Erik sighed. “Way to ease into it, man.”
“I never ease into anything.”
Sending him a disgusted look, Erik turned to me. “We got your father. David spent weeks in New York trying to nail him, and he did.”
I couldn’t speak. I could only look from one man to the other with shock and confusion.
“As a PI, there was only so much I could do. I couldn’t legally tap phones, trespass, obtain cell phone records, hack emails or social media accounts—none of that good stuff. So getting something concrete took a little longer than we anticipated.”
“We had to do things by the books, leaving no room for your father to get off on any technicalities.”
My eyes swung to Erik. “We?”
“It was your boyfriend’s brilliant idea to get your father on new charges since he has more than a few dirty cops covering his ass. There was no point in trying to get him on past crimes, but alas, the new evidence set off an in-depth investigation. Everything is going to be revealed eventually—every buried secret and bodies…”
“We got him,” Erik beamed.
“Got him? Oh, my God.” Could it be possible? Was my father’s reign of terror over? “As in the police got him? How? What new evidence?”
David settled back. “As I said, I couldn’t do anything illegal. I resorted to trailing your old man and his henchmen and recording them in public areas, which is totally legal. They got sloppy more than a few times and I got some...interesting footage that will put a lot of people away for a hell of a long time―your father included. I have a few friends that work with the feds—friends who I’m sure aren’t on your father’s payroll. I had to tread lightly when handing over the new evidence,” he said sheepishly and shrugged, “They handled the rest from there. I looked into the New York district attorney too, and she appears to be a stand up woman. I think things are going to go in our favor.”
“I can’t believe this. David, what you did was incredibly dangerous. I don’t know how to thank you.”
“Thank your boyfriend.” David angled his chin to Erik. “He planned everything. If it wasn’t for him, none of it would have happened.”
Clutching my chest and fighting back tears, I gazed at Erik. “Thank you. Both of you. So, it’s...over?”
“Not quite. There’s still the court process. They’re going to need witnesses. You saw a lot growing up with the bastard. Your testimony will help.” He took my hand in his. “I’ll be with you every step of the way, I promise. That is, if you’re willing to put yourself out there. If not, that’s fine too.”
I was terrified, but I’d do anything to put an end to my father and finally move on with my life.
21
Erik
Two months later....
I gave Crystal an encouraging nod from where I sat. She visibly pulled in a breath and proceeded to answer the questions that the lawyer threw at her. She was being cross-examined by her father’s defense attorney, yet again, and she was amazing. Even though he’d brought up her minor offense—using fake identification— she handled it like a champ. Crystal glared daggers at the attorney and cast her father challenging looks as she spoke of his many crimes, the one’s she’d witnessed as a child. There were a few times when both her father and his attorney’s self-satisfied smirks slipped, and I grinned like a fool.
She was like a different woman. Fearless, fiery, full of passion. Though I suppose I was looking at the real her. The woman who had been hidden for so long. She was even blonde again, and she was just as lovely as she was as a brunette. I think I liked the blonde—no, I loved it.
I glanced at the man who had a major part in moving things along. David was seated on the other side of the courtroom. He looked bored as usual and I almost snorted. What would it take to put even a sliver of a spark in that man’s eyes? Then it happened. David glanced at my sister, who had insisted on flying to New York to support Crystal, and I saw the spark. I was horrified. David and Christine? God no! He caught my eyes and actually blushed. I might just be sick. Giving him a warning glare, I turned my attention back to Crystal. She must be exhausted. The trial had been going on for days, but it was coming to an end.
The day dragged on and when the verdict was reached, I let out a long sigh of relief. Crystal grabbed my hand and turned to me with wide eyes. “Did I just hear…”
That her father was going to be locked away for the rest of his miserable life? “Yes.”
“I’m free,” was all she whispered for my ears only, and it felt as if a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. Her brother wouldn’t be getting out of prison anytime soon either. She could stop looking over her shoulder. I’d finally get to see her truly happy and carefree. It felt good. I squeezed her hand and nodded.
We watched as Crystal’s father was carted off by bailiffs and it was my turn to send him a satisfied smirk. His eyes landed on his daughter and they glisten with hatred. I wanted to pluck the man’s eyes out for even looking at her. But she held her ground, angled her chin upward, and sent him a mock salute. “So long, asshole.”
We were about to exit with everyone else when a petite blonde came barreling toward us.
“Ava!”
Crystal's face lit up. “Elle.” She caught the woman in an embrace. “It’s finally over.”
“I know.” The woman dashed away a tear and I began to feel uneasy. I hoped to God Crystal didn’t start tearing up. I had no idea what to do with one crying woman much less two. But she didn’t cry. She was beaming as she chatted with the best friend she could finally reunite with.
“So, do I call you Ava still?” Elle asked.
Lifting a shoulder, Crystal’s lips twisted. “I kind of hate that name now.”
“I get it,” Elle replied and nodded. “Crystal. I like it.”
There was giggling and a few more tears from Elle as we made it outside. We were attacked by a barrage of reporters, but we managed to get through unscathed. A hand clapped me on the shoulder. “Well, Crawford, it’s over. Now you can take your lady off into the sunset and live happily ever after and all that shit.”
“And while I do that, you stay away from my sister, you dick.”
Guilt flickered across his face, but he shrugged, “I don’t know what you’re talking about, man.”
“Yeah, right.” I clapped him back on the shoulder. “Thank you, David. I owe you big.”
“No, you don’t.”
“David?” We both turned to Crystal. “Thank you aga
in.”
“You already thanked me many times.”
“I’m thanking you again. Words aren’t even enough.” She hugged him and kissed him on the cheek. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Big bad David Hayes turned to mush.
His face flushed and he rubbed the back of neck, “Awe shucks, Crystal. It was no big deal.”
“No big deal? You risked your life to help me when you didn’t even know me.”
“Well, your man here is a great friend. It was no problem.”
David’s uneasiness was entertaining as hell, but I decided to rescue him. Placing a hand on the small of Crystal’s back, I whispered in her ear, “Come one, babe, let’s go. I need to get you back to the hotel so we can celebrate.”
“All you think about is getting into my panties, huh?”
“Pretty much.”
She playfully swatted my arm, but I saw blatant desire in her eyes. “I do need to give you a special thanks in private. My hero.” Her sly smile was enough to cause a twitch at my crotch.
“We’re going now.”
She giggled as I dragged her toward one of the chauffeured cars I’d hired.
“Erik!” Christine called. “Where are you two off to? Aren’t we going to have dinner or drinks to celebrate?”
“You guys go ahead; just make sure you stay close to my guys,” I warned. I still had security hanging around. I wasn’t taking any chances. “We have other matters to attend to.”
Christine looked from me to Crystal and feigned nausea. “Oh, God. Just go.”
We were finally alone with the exception of our driver. Crystal turned to me. “I don’t know how I’ll ever be able to thank you, Erik. Saying it just isn’t enough.”
“Just be happy, Crystal, that’s all I want. Well, and you.”
She gave me a wobbly smile. “I can’t believe how lucky I am to have met you.”
